Ballard Hardware Building

Title of Building: Ballard Hardware Building
Address: 207 S. Walnut Street
Year Built: c. 1883
Architectural Style: Classical Revival
National Register: Walnut Street Historic District; NR # 88002112; Listed 2/17/1989.

The Ballard Hardware Building played a vital role in the city's development during the gas boom of the 1880s. Originally owned by Waldo H. Ballard and later renamed "W. H. Ballard & Son," this building operated as a hardware store offering a wide range of goods.[1] Over the years, it housed different businesses, including a saloon, clothing store, and cobbler[2] until it closed its doors in 1981. It was later revitalized by the owners of Vera Mae's Bistro and combined with their restaurant. The building was renamed to Ballaird Hall in 2002 after the Ballard family would not allow the use of their name.[3] Today, this building serves as a popular café in downtown Muncie, preserving its historic fabric while offering a modern and comfortable space for diners.

[1] Haimbaugh, Frank D. History of Delaware County Indiana. Historical Publishing Company, 1924.

[2] Historic Structures Report for 207 South Walnut, Muncie, Indiana, 1992, DOC-94.037, Documentation Collection, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Please note, this source is student-created.

[3] “About Vera Mae's.” Vera Mae's Bistro. Accessed June 29, 2023. https://veramaes.com/about-2/.